Protective case for watches



sept. 11, 1945. GODlN PROTECTIVE CASE FOR WATCHES Filed Julie 19, 1944 CHA RL Es 60o/N INVENTOR BY HUM ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE 2,384,549y PnoTEc'rrvE cAsE ron WATCHES Charles Godin, Portland; Oreg. Application June 19, 1944, semina. 540,995 z claims. (cita-'105i My present invention relates to improvements in a protective case for watches and is particularly designed for use with pocket watches and the like. This application is filed in substitution for application, Serial 420,832.

It is well known that in many industries men are forced, by the circumstances of their employment, to labor in exceedingly damp. conditions whereby their clothing becomes wet, either from perspiration or from outside sources. Such an example occurs in mining, where workmenr are constantly being wetted by water dripping from the roofs of the tunnels and the like. Under such conditions a pocket watch is usually the only practical time piece that can be carried by a workman. Watches thus come into contact with undesirable Wet conditions and the moisture leaking into the works in the case impairs the functioning of the mechanical parts of the watch.

In order to protect a watch against such conditions, as well as against electrical inuence and the like, I have devised a means which is highly efficient by reason of the fact that it encompasses all of the possible points of leakage in protecting the Watch case against exposure to moisture and at the same time permits the observation of the dial or watch face in telling time.

It has been an important object of my invention to provide a protective case for watches which meets the problems above enumerated in a simple and efficient manner.

Another object of my invention has been the provision of a waterproof watch enclosing device formed of rubber or other stretchable material insuring an extremely tight and snug fitting protective covering.

A further object of the invention relates to` the provision, in a protective covering, of an integral reinforced fob or anchor strap so that the watch may be attached or secured to the clothing of the person carrying it.

Still another object of the invention relates to improved means in a protective covering for a Watch whereby the means for turning the winding stem can be exposed during periods when it is desirable to wind the Watch, and whereby the stem will be fully covered and protected at other periods of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same, I have shown a preferred form of my invention but it will be apparent that changes and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as denned by the subjoined claims.

Figure l is a sidey elevational view of my protective watch case,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the case of Figure 1 on the. line 2-2 thereof and showing a watch in place in the case, f.

Figure 3- is a lateral sectional .'ew taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure4 is a. cross-sectional view similar to theY showing of Figure 3 but with a watch omitted therefrom in order to illustrate the relaxed form that the casing may assumev due to its stretchable nature.

Figure 5 is a fragmenary face view of a watch case,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2,

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view similar to the showing of Figure 6 but with the winding stem and its knob exposed for purposes of winding the watch without removing it from the case.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a watch case showing the position assumed in Figure 7.

Most pocket watches such as IIJ are provided with a crystal I2 or other transparent face to protect the time indicating hands and second hand if there be one, aswell as to seal the exposed face of the case I0. A stem I4 is customarily provided. The spring driving mechanism contained in the watch is normally wound by means of a knob or button I6 on a stem (not shown) which communicates through the tubular stem I4 to the interior of the works. A ring or loop I8 pivoted to the stem protects the knob I6 and also provides means whereby a chain, fob, or other anchoring member may be attached.

My protective casing comprises the body 20 which is generally circular in shape and has a closed lback 22, and a viewing element which may be an opening 24 in the face so that a dial I2 will be exposed when the case encompasses the works of a watch.

An upper extension 26 on the body 20 has an interior chamber 21 for the reception of the winding stem I6 and the ring I8 and communicating from the chamber 21 to the interior of the hollow body 2l) is the throat 28.

When a watch is in place in the casing it will appear much as is shown in Figure 6. In order to provide access for the user of the watch to the knob I6 in order to wind it, a slit 30 divides one face of the housing extension 25 and, by tipping the housing backwardly as shown in Figures '7 and 8, the button I6 is exposed so that the watch may be wound.

A fob or anchor strap 32 extends from the housing 26 and may be provided With an eye or loop 34 to Which a pendant may be attached or for engagement over a button on the clothes of the wearer to prevent the Watch from being dislodged accidently or being dropped.

Reinforcing means such as the wire or cable strand 33 encircles the watch in the periphery' of the case 2u and extends, as well, in the member 26. I have shown this reinforcing means as ex` tending through the fob or strap 32 and around the loop 34, serving to provide strength as Well as to protect against sudden stretching that would snap the Watch from the pocket. in the event the strap should get caught on a nail or other object. Preferably such reinforcing means would be highly iiexible so as not to detract from the iiexibility of the case and of the strap.

As I have indicated throughout the drawingr one form of my invention can be very well produced by casting it of relatively light weight stretchable rubber material that will expand to permit the insertion of a watch and contract tightly against the watch case to maintain it in a water-tight manner.

Other suitable materials of a stretehable nature are also available and their use is contemplated as occasion or circumstances require.

In Figure 4 the lip 40 around the opening 24 is shown as having inner peripheral grooves 4Z and intermediate ribs which normally will lie against the crystal or watch face that is exposed to form a seal against the entrance of moisture at this point and prevent its seeping in around the Watch case and between it and the protective cover.

In Figure 5 I have indicated that the outer face of the extension 2B might be provided with cast insignia such as the individual initials of the owner or with lodge indicia or the like so that the protective cover may be personalized in some adaptations.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A protective case for watches comprising a Watch casing enclosing member formed of flexible material adapted to accommodate itself t0 'such a casing and having means to permit the viewing of the Watch face, an extension housing on said enclosing member adapted to receive the Watch stem and its appurtenances, said housing extension being slitted on one side to permit the exposure of the Watch stem upon force being applied to the housing to distort it sidewards from its normal position, said housing extension slit being normally closed over the watch stern.

2. A protective case for Watches comprising a watch casing enclosing member formed of material adapted to snugly accommodate itself to such a casing and having means to permit the viewing` of the watch face, an extension housing on said enclosing member adapted to receive the watch stem and its appurtenances, a fob attached to said enclosing member, and a flexible strand in the periphery of the enclosing member and the housing and extending into the fob.

CHARLES GODIN. 

